Let down and betrayed?
Innocence projects in the UK seemed such a fine idea.
Inundated with requests from alleged victims of wrongful convictions, the need for help and hope could not be any more clear.
A student army wanting a pro bono experience to strengthen their CVs.
Could be harnessed for good and social justice, as opposed to the mere “what’s in it for me’s.
But that was the theory that didn’t turn out to be real.
Little institutional interest in progressing casework, no investigatory zeal.
A few notable exceptions aside, a lack of progress with cases turned out to be the norm.
Willing and eager students not supported, just could not weather the storm.
So here we are, ten years has past.
We have an additional part of the legal landscape that looks likely to last.
But what of the innocent prisoners and their families you might ask.
Let down and betrayed by an educational mask?
Michael Naughton
January 2016
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